Flash Memory FAQ's Section

Did you know...

Q: Hi Andrew, why are there so many different memory card formats, and is one better than the other?
A: Hi Tom, good question indeed, and it's one I wish more people would ask of the manufacturers because they are responsible for this mess. I believe the situation has gotten out of hand now, we already have formats within formats, it's just crazy and most consumers understandably don't have a clue. I often overhear shoppers ask for "some memory for my camera". They don't have their camera with them, and they don't expect to have to know the exact model number just to get a memory card. As for whether one format is better than another, it's not really as simple as that. Basically, you are tied to using the format that the manufacturer chooses. For example, Sony have their own proprietary system called the memory stick, and memory stick duo. Other manufacturers commonly use SD cards or compact flash. Compact flash is the largest format but it also has the largest potential capacity. At the other end of the scale are MMC and Mini-SD cards.--Andrew Lock